Would someone explain to me…

Years ago, when I was first teaching environmental policy, my students correctly pointed out that I was serving a neoclassical theory of it with externalities, Pigovian taxes, and all that good stuff, and they wanted to know the “radical” theory. Fair enough; I asked my most lefty colleagues to tell me the Marxist theory of environment.Â I got:

“I don’t know but there are people who do. I don’t actually know who they are. “

“After the revolution, pollution will be impossible because the people will own the means of production.”

“[what was just coming out about] environmental disaster in the Soviet orbit is irrelevant, because that’s not real socialism.Â You should look at China.”

Somehow this didn’t make me feel ready for class.Â I tried an easier question: “After the revolution, what should the fare on the subway be, and why?”Â I didn’t get much further with that one; still waiting for it.

Automobiles and drivers should not require licensing at all. Anyone who can afford a car has the right to drive it on the public ways [are there public ways in Libertaria?] and if he hurts someone, it’s a matter for litigation. And no job-destroying regulations about speed limits and working taillights, either.

Licenses (both kinds) should be provided by private firms free of job-destroying regulation, competing for business.Â “Our road test is so easy a blind cave man could pass it!”Â “Our patented license plate font is guaranteed illegible in broad daylight!” “With our operators license, you get a free portfolio of head shots suitable for sending to casting directors!”

The antidote to regulatory abuse at the DMV, as everywhere, is to defund the agency so its service will be worse.